Oct. 19, 2005

by Nick Nagel
Media Relations Assistant

In honor of 20 years of Patriot League football, the Patriot League will profile the seven current members of the League. Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh have played in all 20 seasons, while Fordham has played 16 seasons and Georgetown has participated in five campaigns. This week we look at seven-time Patriot League champion Lehigh.

The Brown and White are another one of college football's most storied programs. Coming into the 2005 season Lehigh was ranked 34th in all-time wins with 601. The 121-year history of Lehigh football started in 1884 with a winless campaign but from then on made strides upward. The 1950s saw Lehigh come into its own recording its first undefeated season led by All-American quarterback Dan Nolan. From there, the 1960s saw similar success only to be eclipsed by the 1970s, which saw Lehigh capture three Lambert Cups and the national title in 1977.

The 1980s marked changes for the program with Lehigh joining the Patriot League in 1986. The Brown and White's early run in the Patriot League was not filled with great success, but that all started to change in 1993 when Lehigh won its first championship. Lehigh then followed that championship with a title in 1995, and then four in a row (1998-2001), as the Brown and White cemented themselves as a League power.

Last season the Brown and White were co-champions with Lafayette. Since joining the Patriot League in 1986, Lehigh, has gone to the NCAA Tournament five times, four as the automatic qualifier and once as an at-large team. Lehigh has experienced success in NCAA Tournament action advancing to the second round on three occasions.

During its run in the Patriot League, Lehigh has had three head coaches. Hank Small led the Brown and White into Patriot League play, coaching from 1986-1993 amassing a 47-40-1 (.539) record. Kevin Higgins took over from 1994-2000, leading Lehigh to a 56-25 (.689) including four Patriot League titles. The program was then turned over to current head coach Pete Lembo, who coming into 2005 had a 36-11 (.766) overall record and two Patriot League titles. He also won the Eddie Robinson award as the nations top coach in Division I-AA.

"I am very proud of the development of our Patriot League, and in particular, I'm proud of the credibility earned by our football programs over the past 20 years," stated Lehigh Dean of Athletics and former player Joe Sterrett. " The hard work of our coaches, the competitiveness of Patriot League athletes, and the support of our institutions has helped to develop a league that has earned consistent competitive success and national respect, without compromising our commitments to academic integrity."

The Lehigh record book is filled with many impressive statistics and some of them have been accomplished recently by Patriot League players. The Brown and White's leading passer is former Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Phil Stambaugh, who threw for 9,669 yards and an all-time best 78 touchdowns. Rabih Abdullah leads Lehigh in career rushing yards with 3,696. Rennie Benn is the Brown and White's leader in career receiving yards with 3,662 and career receiving touchdowns with 44.

Going into the 2005 season, Lehigh was picked to finish first by the League's coaches and sports information directors receiving eight first-place votes and 68 points overall. Currently, the Mountain Hawks are 4-2, 0-1 in the Patriot League. They return to action Saturday when they travel to Bucknell for a Patriot League game slated for 1 p.m start. The Patriot League continues its look at 20 years of football next Wednesday when Colgate will be featured.

Oct. 12 Feature: Fordham University Rams

Oct. 5 Feature: Lafayette College Leopards